Flag of Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands celebrate Transfer Day. The United States bought the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million. Located in the Caribbean Sea, the islands are about twice the size of Washington, DC. Many of the 100,000 inhabitants depend on tourism for income. Charlotte Amalie is the capital. Children could learn more at: Virgin Islands.
Truman and Diplomats Signing NATO Treaty
North American Treaty was signed in 1949. Twelve nations formed the original North American Treaty Organization: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United States. Greece and Turkey became members in 1951, and West Germany joined in 1954. Spain joined in 1982. Czechia, Hungary, and Poland became members in 1999. Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined in 2004. Albania and Croatia were admitted in 2009. Montenegro became a member in 2017, and North Macedonia joined in 2020. On this day in 2023 Finland became a member. Today NATO has 31 members. The main purpose of NATO is protection; an attack against one member is an attack against all members. Idea: Children could locate these countries on a world map and decide whether all countries benefit equally from this treaty. Children can learn more at: NATO.
Flag of Denmark
Denmark celebrates Constitution Day. Its constitution was written in 1953, and the country is now a constitutional monarchy. According to the CIA World Factbook, Denmark is about twice the size of Massachusetts. The country is composed of the Jutland Peninsula and a number of islands. Because it is bordered by the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, winters are comparatively mild and summers are cool. About 5.6 million people live in Denmark. Copenhagen is the capital. Children can learn more at: Denmark.
Flag of Iceland
Iceland celebrates Independence Day. It gained its independence from Denmark in 1944. Vikings settled on the island in the ninth century AD. According to the CIA World Factbook, Iceland is approximately the size of Kentucky. About 315,000 people live on this hotspot for volcanic activity. Less than one percent of the land can be farmed. Reykjavik is the capital. Children can learn more at: Iceland.
Flag of Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands celebrate Olaifest, a national holiday. The islands, located between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Home to 49,000 people, the islands are about eight times the size of Washington, DC. Torshavn is the capital, and fishing is a major industry. Children can learn more at: Faroe Islands.